BRASSTCA CAMPESTRIS. 



preceding ; the pods too are shorter and somewhat torulose like those of B. juncea, and the seeds 

 are of a lighter colour. 



The liability to form hybrids is very marked in the family of plants to which the 

 cabbage, the turnip and the mustard belong, especially under the influence of cultiva- 

 tion. It is not surprising, therefore, to find such results apparent amongst the diflferent 

 kinds of rape and mustard which are so largely grown in this country, considering also 

 the great number of years they have been under cultivation. 



The examination of nearly two hundred samples of sarson, toria, laid, rai, &c., raised 

 in the Saharanpur garden from seed received from nearly every district of the N.-W. 

 Provinces and Oudh, has been the means of bringing under our observation a large num- 

 ber of intermediate forms ranging throughout an entire series from Brassica campestris 

 to B. juncea and cidnensis, including some well marked varieties which have by many 

 authors been recognized as distinct species.* 



The following analysis shows the main distinguishing characters of these varie- 

 ties : — 



Foliage usually glaucous and smooth, rarely hispid ; leaves amplexicaul, auricled ; seeds yellow or brown. 

 Corymbs few-flowered ; sepals erect ; pods very thick, not torulose, 2-3-4-valved ; seeds large, 

 yellow or brown. 



Pods erect, 2.valved ( B. glauca ). 

 Pods pendulous, 3-4-valved (B. trilocularis). 

 Pods erect, 4-valved ( B. quadrivalis ). 

 Corymbs many-flowered ; sepals spreading ; pods stoutish, somewhat torulose; seeds brown or reddish 

 brown, rather large, minutely rugose. 



Pods not torulose, slender, with a long tapering beak ; seeds dark brown (B. dichotoma). 

 Pods somewhat torulose, short, with a sharp beak ; seeds reddish brown (5. Toria). 

 Foliage usually bright green and more or less hispid ; leaves stalked or the upper ones sessile, not 

 amplexicaul ; pods thin, torulose, seeds small, dark brown or reddish brown, distinctly reticulated (S. juncea 

 and B. chinensis). 



From an agricultural point of view the varieties of B. campestris may be classed un- 

 der two heads, one including all those known as sarson, and the other including the 

 variety known as lahi or toria. These are distinguished very sharply in their method of 

 cultivation. Sarson is very seldom grown alone, but is sown in greater or less quantity 

 in nearly every field of wheat and barley. Indeed in the districts of the middle and 

 lower Doab, which are especially well fitted for its production, hardly a wheat field will 

 be found in which sarson does not find a place, being sown either broadcast or in parallel 

 lines running across the field. Lahi on the other hand is as a rule grown alone, and is 



* The seeds alluded to above were received in 1880 ; for these and several dried specimens I am indebted to Mr. F. N. 

 Wright, who was at that time officiating as Director of Agriculture and Commerce in these Provinces. The seeds were sown in 

 separate plots, each sample being ticketed with its vernacular name and the locality from which it was sent. The plants were in 

 full flower during the month of January, and by the end of March the majority had ripened their seeds. A certain portion of 

 the original seed of each sample was reserved in order to compare it with the produce of the plants from the same seed grown in 

 this garden. The plants in the several plots were constantly examined during their different stages of growth, and notes were 

 made (1), as to the character of the foliage whether smooth or bristly, and the tint whether glaucous or bright green ; (2), the 

 time ot flowering, together with the arrangement of the flowers and their tint whether pale or dark yellow ; (3), the shape and 

 size of the pods, and the colour and markings of the testa of the seed. Flowering and fruiting specimens of each sample were 

 pressed and mounted in order to facilitate classification and subsequent examination. Drawings were also made of the more 

 marked forms of each variety. A set of herbarium specimens representing the more marked forms were sent to Dr. King, 

 Director, Royal Botanical Gardens, Calcutta, who kindly favoured me with his opinion as to their aiBnities. I am also indebted 

 to him for copies of Roxburgh's drawings of the varieties of Indian mustard. — (J. F. D.) 



